Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) samples the latest Sorento (2.2 diesel version). Twenty-one years after Kia's original Sorento launch the latest variant of the seven seat SUV has been taking design cues from its new all-electric stablemate, the EV9. Unlike the BEV, the Sorento is available in three grades in the UK: ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ with the choice of 190 bhp 2.2-litre common-rail diesel, … [Read more...]
Features by Robin Roberts
Latest model (2025) Kia Picanto – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) gives his first impressions of the latest version of Kia's city car, the Picanto... Kia is bucking the trend and staying faithful to the city car sector with the arrival of the latest Picanto... While other manufacturers put the brake on city cars to concentrate on mid-sized models and cross-overs, claiming smaller models are unprofitable, the Kia Picanto is … [Read more...]
First Welsh Motorsport & Supercar Festival
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) reports on a new event to take place in September 2024… Pembrey Circuit will host the inaugural Welsh Motorsport & Supercar Festival on Sunday 22 September, exactly 31 years to the day since the late Brazilian F1 racing driver Ayrton Senna set the fastest lap around the home of Welsh motorsport. It was widely reported at the time that Senna broke the … [Read more...]
Sad true story about trying to bring TVR to Wales…
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) reports… An attempt to bring TVR sports cars to Wales ended in failure and a bill of £14M, according to official documents released Wednesday. Legendary two-seater high performance TVRs were to be built at Rassau Industrial Estate close to Ebbw Vale after the manufacturer was bought by a business from the previous owners who saw it collapse in its native … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift 1.2 Ultra MEV 2WD – Road Test
The fourth generation Suzuki Swift is already a landmark model, just months after its introduction. Robin Roberts reports… While it builds on the success of previous models over the last 40 years and is one of the most capable city cars on sale it is also the last of its kind since Suzuki announced it will step up its battery electric vehicle range and in that will be a model to replace the Swift … [Read more...]
Honda e:Ny1 Elegance – Road Test
Honda has just raised its game in the burgeoning Battery Electric Vehicle battle in Britain, as Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) explains… Earlier this year it rolled out its family focussed e:Ny1 in two trim levels. The Elegance opens the range from just under £40,000 and comes with heated front seats and 15.1-inch infotainment screen while for just over £2,000 more the Advance version … [Read more...]
Subaru Crosstrek Touring – Road Test
Subaru has one of the smallest model ranges on sale in Britain, but arguably it is also one of the best, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). After building a reputation on performance in the World Rally Championship, Subaru has since focused on active leisure and lifestyle buyers and now is exclusively a four-wheel-drive producer. Early in 2024, the new Subaru Crosstrek replaced the … [Read more...]
Audi Q4 e-tron – Road Test
The latest Audi Q4 e-tron is proof that you can get more than you expect, even in today’s cut-throat and complex car market. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) tells all… When originally launched in March 2021 it was the fourth fully electric model in the brand’s e-tron series but it’s undergone continuous improvement and towards the end of 2023 it was boosted with a bigger battery and … [Read more...]
Mazda MX-5RF 2.0 Homura – Road Test
Sometimes, the simple things in life please the most and that’s certainly the case with the Mazda MX-5, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The classic yet modern sports two-seater is straightforward, front-engine and rear-wheel-drive engineering, but underneath it embodies some of the latest technology to enhance owning, driving and enjoying the open-air experience in safety and, when … [Read more...]
‘Covid’ cars, some with ‘missing’ items, are appearing on the used car market…
“Covid cars” – models made during the pandemic with irregular specifications – are causing valuation issues as they start to appear on the used market, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Marcus Blakemore, chair of the trade body’s Industry Trends Committee, said that dealers and traders were buying cars expecting them to meet certain … [Read more...]
SMMT electric avenue of dreams?
It's green for go, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) as he provides his own personal assessment of the recent SMMT Test Day event for motoring writers to test-drive current vehicles… (At the outset Kim says: ‘Zero emissions’ in the context of BEVs in fact effectively means ‘Zero exhaust emissions’ only. For a full and accurate comparison with i.c.e. models it is important to appreciate … [Read more...]
Toyota Yaris Premiere Edition – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts Toyota’s latest Yaris through its paces… The Toyota Yaris has been one of the brand’s most successful models with over 10 million made, and it’s not resting on its laurels. This Spring the familiar Yaris hatchback range was increased with the addition of the Premiere and GR models which have brought more electric power and greater refinement to the … [Read more...]
BMW iX2 XDrive 30 SAC – Road Test
If you thought that BMW don’t just build cars but also desires, you don’t have to look further than the new iX2 XDrive 30 sports activity coupé to appreciate the fact, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Announced last autumn with the second generation X2 series including its petrol powered stablemates from £39,365, the iX2 20 and 30 series models were their first pure electric … [Read more...]
Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match – Road Test
Volkswagen has been on a learning curve with electric cars but now it’s heading towards the top of the class – says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). It has flirted with electric cars for many years and a decade ago gave us their zero emission versions of the e-Golf and e-Up, adapted models of their better known petrol and diesel hatchbacks. VW engineers knew change was coming down the … [Read more...]
Complaints about garages, vehicles and service have risen sharply, says The Motor Ombudsman
The Motor Ombudsman has found that that complaints have soared in the last few months... Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... The independent Motor Ombudsman said more than 1,600 cases were logged in three months, the most ever and a 35% rise over Q1 last year. It also took some 24,000 telephone calls about garages and that was a 56% rise over the same period last year. The … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Type R – Road Test
Honda Civic Type R – Road Test As we look down the road towards an all-electric future, enthusiastic drivers might want to refocus on the Honda Civic Type R, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… It’s been with us in a few shapes for a quarter of a century and its enduring appeal is undoubtedly its very driver-focused design and engineering which has steadily matured, not really grown … [Read more...]
Hyundai Tucson Premium Hybrid Auto – Road Test
The Hyundai Tucson is a quality SUV which many prospective buyers might overlook, at their cost, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The Tucson range runs to five models, SE Connect, Premium, N Line, N Line S and Ultimate, from £31,535 to over £44,575 with 2WD, or with PHEV powertrain to stretch economy and 4WD. Power outputs accordingly range from 150 PS to 265 PS with model dependent … [Read more...]
Kia EV9 GT-Line S – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Kia's EV9 in GT-Line S form... Kia is riding the crest of a new wave with its range-topping luxury EV9 SUV this spring. The Kia EV9 achieved a remarkable dual victory at the 2024 World Car Awards at the New York International Auto Show in March, being voted World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle., taking Kia to five titles in the … [Read more...]
SMMT car sales figures for March 2024 – and fuel prices increase!
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) looks at the SMMT's UK car sales figures for March 2024 – discovering that fleets get deals and boost the 24-plate registrations, but private buyers have put the brakes on pure electric purchases... March signals a twentieth month of consecutive growth for the automotive sector, a remarkable milestone for the industry, said Sue Robinson, Chief … [Read more...]
Subaru Outback 2.5ES Touring – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives Subaru’s Outback 2.5ES, in range-topping ‘Touring’ form. When the going gets tough, so it’s said, the tough get going and the Subaru Outback will probably lead the way for most drivers. It mayn’t be an obvious choice because it does not look like a classic big-wheeled off-roader with enough space around the wheel arches to coral a sheep, or … [Read more...]
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